New Mexico Pastor Spends Week on Chick-fil-A Rooftop for Needy Children & Orphans in Africa
"Some crazy guy, living on a roof, waving at people will hopefully get people’s attention long enough so we can convey the message."
(New Mexico, U.S.)—The Rev. Dr. Michael Hattabaugh figured the fact of 15 million orphans in Africa was just too large a number to grasp, so he decided to become a living analogy to inspire people to help. (Photo: Get Mike Down)
The New Mexico pastor of Gathering Church in Farmington, N.M, is spending this week without a home, or a roof over his head. He is living atop a Chick-fil-A fast-food restaurant, waving at passersby, and explaining his reasons for his actions, when asked.
"I thought if I lived on a roof that is how people will get their arms wrapped around the idea [of the many orphans in Africa]," Hattabaugh explained. "It is a good connection. People ask why are you doing this and I use it draw people’s attention."
His fundraiser is known as "Get Mike Down" and can be accessed on the web at: www.getmikedown.com.
A message on the website reads: The goal of "Get Mike Down" is $200,000. Half of the proceeds will go to Carrie Tingley Hospital in Albuquerque to provide housing for children and their families during long-term treatment. The remainder of the proceeds will help the National Day of Care promote and provide assistance to the over 15 million children in Africa who are orphans due to AIDS.
